Method and system of displaying, managing and selling images in an event photography environment

Abstract

A system for displaying photographs is provided. The display system includes a plurality of rotatable carousels that each possess a plurality of slots for receiving folders that hold photographs taken by an event organizer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 243,082, filed Sep. 16, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.[0002]This application is also a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 874,772, filed Sep. 2, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 239,398, filed Sep. 2, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a system for displaying images, such as photographs, and other image related items. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a system that allows customers to purchase event photos and / or videos (images) and that facilitates customer interaction with the purchased images via the Internet. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally related ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a photo delivery system that allows customers and potential customers to receive, interact, and purchase photos related to an event. One embodiment of the present invention is a computer software program, which may be accessed via the Internet, that employs a rich Internet application, such as Adobe® Flash, Adobe AIR, Java®, and other similar applications known to those in the art to simplify image design that enables enhanced image review and editing. In operation, images associated with an event are taken by a photographer or videographer employed by an event holder, and sold to an attendee / customer on a CD, DVD, Flash drive, thumb drive, via email, via the Internet, via a specialized intranet, or other similar media (hereinafter “electronic media”). The customer accesses the images by installing a computer application, either embedded in the electronic media received from the event holder or otherwise obtained by the customer, for example, via the Internet, an email, an intranet, or an application installed on a wireless communication device. The application allows the individual to access the purchased images in a native format, save a copy of the images, and manipulate the images as desired using a computer, including a desktop, laptop, notebook, smart phone, iPad®, Kindle®, or similar wireless device. The application would also allow customers to order professional printing services, image enhancement or collateral items incorporating one or more of the images through a designated website hosted by the event holder or authorized third party. With respect to image enhancement, some embodiments contemplate facilitating interaction between the customer and event holder, or image expert employed thereby, wherein the customer may have the ability to request specific editing be performed on a particular image they have purchased. This interaction allows the image to be cropped, color enhanced, or altered using any other available techniques by a third-party professional, thereby relieving the event holder from the task of editing an image in a way that may not be acceptable or desired by the customer. As image editing and printing are no longer required, time and costs are reduced, including reduced waste costs.

[0011]It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an application that can be used in an online or offline mode. The online mode will allow users to connect to the Internet and increase functionality and features provided by the application that are associated solely with the website. Access may also be arranged through an intranet, such as a network available solely on a cruise ship. Working online also allows the user to receive or access automatic upgrades to the application or at least be offered the opportunity to receive an upgrade. In the offline mode, core functions of the application would be available, such as the ability to manipulate and create new images and image products. Once the application is connected to the Internet or intranet, any edited photos and requests for image products may be synched to the event server for fulfillment. As used herein, “event server” means a database containing event images and interactive application software hosted by the event holder or an authorized third party. It is also contemplated that a customer's altered images may be synched or otherwise uploaded to an event server to be viewed by other interested parties or individuals, such as relatives, friends or acquaintances met at the event, who would have the ability to access and purchase the edited or unedited images. Similarly, the user may be able to upload to the server images taken by the user at the event.

[0012]In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile application is provided for installation onto a mobile communication device such as a Droid® phone, iPhone®, Blackberry®, smart phone or personal digital assistant (PDA). The mobile application device will allow users to access the system prior to, during, or after an event in the same manner as accomplished on a home computer. As such, event specific details would be associated with the user's mobile device. In another embodiment of the present invention involving mobile or wireless devices, the user would then have the ability to notify the event organizer via the mobile device that a particular image or images were desired for purchase. An application resident on the mobile device could transmit a signal to the event server that would contain data identifying the customer and the image. Because the application is loaded on the mobile device, sufficient information has been gathered by the application or entered by the user identifying the user (name, mobile phone number), delivery details, and payment information. Features of the software application resident on the mobile device would also allow the individual to select or designate photos as they are being taken. For example, using the application, a signal is sent by the user's mobile device to a designated recipient. The signal includes a user identification and a time stamp or image specific identifying information, such as a location using global positioning technology. The camera equipment taking the images may be tied into the event server. As used herein, the term “event server” comprises the hardware and operational software that stores images and customer information, provides access to images, and permits copying and manipulation of images. The event server may be located at the event, such as on a cruise ship or at a particular resort or theme park, and following the event the images and other event-specific information may be transferred to a different event server located at a different location such as a centralized server hosting information from multiple events. In this way, the particular image will be located by matching the user and other identification information. The images may be sent to the user electronically for review and possible purchase. Alternatively, a user specific or image specific code may be sent to the server by the user's wireless device when prompted by the user. For example, sending a text message to a specific number associated with a specific photographer or videographer coupled with a time stamp would allow the event holder to forward the designated digital image directly to the user in real time or at a later time. Alternatively, an individual may pre-purchase rights to all photos of the event. Images of the individual's photos would be directly sent to their individual account, to their email or some other account associated with and accessible by the user. Further still, and as explained in more detail herein, the designated images may be printed and placed in a unique folder associated only with the purchaser and displayed or located in a designated display area.

Problems solved by technology

One of skill in the art will appreciate that this method of selling photographs, however, is associated with an increased time and cost burden related to providing, editing and displaying photos that may never be purchased.

Photographs not purchased are discarded which is wasteful and environmentally unsound.

The terminals often become crowded as many individuals want to see their photos at or about the same time, for example, during or following a sub-event such as a formal dinner.

Digital files also take time to locate or access and upload for immediate printing and purchase.

This can lead to delays and customer frustration.

The drawback of this method is minimal interaction between the event holder and / or photographer and the customer.

One other disadvantage of the prior art method is that its effectiveness is a function of the size and length of the event.

It follows that the time it takes for potential customers to find and review their photos will increase which translates to crowding.

Increased crowds often lead to customer frustration and could lead to lost sales.

To make matters worse, the event hosts will often condense and consolidate older photographs, which makes finding a particular photo difficult for those potential customers who may wait until near the end of the event to review photos for potential purchase.

Another disadvantage with existing display systems is that they do not offer related collateral items, such as photo CD's, books, post cards, calendars etc.

Some attendees may not think to order or have the patience to construct and order image-related items.

Images